Iran's Assembly Of Experts: Power, Succession, And The Future

Prof. Zane Sauer PhD 19 Jun 2025

In the intricate and often opaque world of Iranian politics, few bodies hold as much profound, yet frequently misunderstood, power as the Assembly of Experts. This deliberative body in Iran is not merely another elected council; it stands as a unique institution, tasked with a singular, monumental responsibility: overseeing the Supreme Leader, the ultimate authority in the Islamic Republic. Its role is so fundamental that it touches upon the very core of Iran's governance, making it a critical subject for anyone seeking to truly comprehend the nation's political trajectory.

Far from a ceremonial entity, the Assembly of Experts wields the authority to select, and theoretically even dismiss, the Supreme Leader. This immense power, coupled with its periodic elections, positions the Assembly at the heart of Iran's complex blend of elected and theocratic governance. As Iran navigates its future, understanding the origins, functions, and potential influence of this clerical body becomes indispensable, especially with crucial elections on the horizon that could shape the country's leadership for decades to come.

Understanding the Assembly of Experts: A Unique Institution
- Origins and Evolution: From Revolution to Reestablishment
- The Core Mandate: Selecting and Overseeing the Supreme Leader
Iran's Complex Political Tapestry: Where the Assembly Fits In
The Electoral Process: How Members Are Chosen
- Who Can Run? The Vetting Process
- Geographical Representation: Seats by Province
The Assembly's Power and Limitations: Beyond Succession
The 2024 Elections: A Crucial Juncture
The Succession Question: The Assembly's Pivotal Role
Challenges and Criticisms Facing the Assembly
The Future of the Assembly of Experts in Iran

Understanding the Assembly of Experts: A Unique Institution

The Assembly of Experts (Persian: مجلس خبرگان رهبری, Majles-e Khobregan-e Rahbari) stands as a cornerstone of the Islamic Republic of Iran's unique political architecture. It is an elected body composed entirely of Islamic clerics, specifically tasked with a role that is unparalleled in most modern political systems: the selection and oversight of the Supreme Leader (officially called Rahbar, or Leader). This foundational responsibility elevates the Assembly of Experts from a mere legislative or advisory council to a pivotal institution that underpins the very legitimacy and continuity of Iran's theocratic system.

Unlike a parliament that drafts laws or a presidency that executes policy, the Assembly's primary focus is on the spiritual and political leadership of the nation. Its members, known as "Experts," are expected to possess deep knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence and a profound understanding of the political and social landscape, allowing them to assess the qualifications and performance of the Supreme Leader. This dual mandate of selection and oversight grants the Assembly an extraordinary, albeit often discreet, influence over the trajectory of the Islamic Republic.

Origins and Evolution: From Revolution to Reestablishment

The roots of the Assembly of Experts trace back to the tumultuous period immediately following the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Originally formed to draft a new constitution for the nascent Islamic Republic, this initial body played a critical role in shaping the foundational legal framework of the new state. It was during this period that the concept of the Supreme Leader, and the need for a body to manage the succession of such a figure, was enshrined.

After successfully completing its initial constitutional mandate, the Assembly was temporarily dissolved. However, the foresight of the revolution's architects recognized the indispensable need for a permanent mechanism to ensure the continuity and legitimacy of the Supreme Leader's office. Consequently, the Assembly of Experts was reestablished in 1983, with a refined and focused purpose: the sole responsibility of selecting the country’s Supreme Leader and ensuring that he remains qualified for the position. This reestablishment marked its transition from a temporary constitutional assembly to a permanent, institutionalized pillar of the Iranian political system, cementing its unique and enduring role.

The Core Mandate: Selecting and Overseeing the Supreme Leader

At the heart of the Assembly of Experts' existence lies its core mandate: the selection and oversight of the Supreme Leader. This is not a trivial task; the Supreme Leader is the highest authority in Iran, holding ultimate power over state policy, military, judiciary, and media. When the position of Supreme Leader becomes vacant, it is the Assembly that convenes to identify and appoint a successor. The criteria for this selection are stringent, rooted in Islamic jurisprudence and revolutionary ideals, requiring the candidate to possess qualities such as scholarly distinction, political acumen, and moral integrity.

Beyond selection, the Assembly's role extends to "overseeing" the Supreme Leader. While the exact mechanisms and frequency of this oversight are often subjects of academic debate and public speculation, the principle is clear: the Assembly has the theoretical power to monitor the Supreme Leader's performance and ensure he continues to meet the qualifications for his office. This implies the extraordinary, albeit rarely exercised, power to remove the Supreme Leader if he is deemed to have lost the necessary qualifications or has become incapacitated. This oversight function, though largely symbolic in practice due to the immense authority of the incumbent Supreme Leader, underscores the Assembly's foundational importance in the unique system of Iranian governance.

Iran's Complex Political Tapestry: Where the Assembly Fits In

Iran's political system is famously complicated, a unique hybrid that intricately weaves together elements of elected democracy with theocratic and military power players. It's a system that defies easy categorization, standing apart from Western democracies and even many other Islamic states. At its apex is the Supreme Leader, an unelected cleric who holds ultimate authority, serving as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, head of the judiciary, and arbiter of major state policies. Beneath him, there are elected bodies like the President and the Parliament (Majlis), who manage the day-to-day affairs of the government, but whose powers are ultimately subservient to the Supreme Leader and the Guardian Council.

Within this intricate tapestry, the Assembly of Experts occupies a truly singular position. It is an elected body, meaning its members are chosen by popular vote, which lends it a degree of democratic legitimacy. However, its members are exclusively Islamic clerics, and candidates are rigorously vetted by the Guardian Council—another unelected body—ensuring their adherence to the principles of the Islamic Republic. This dual nature—elected yet heavily vetted, popular yet clerical—highlights the unique blend of popular sovereignty and religious authority that defines Iran.

The Assembly's placement in this system is strategic: it sits above the elected branches but below the Supreme Leader, whom it is designed to oversee. While the President and Parliament are concerned with executive and legislative functions, the Assembly's gaze is fixed on the very spiritual and political leadership of the nation. It acts as a constitutional check, albeit one with significant limitations, on the Supreme Leader's power, ensuring the continuity of the system itself. This makes the Assembly of Experts a critical, if often quietly operating, component in Iran's delicate balance of power, a body whose actions, or inactions, reverberate throughout the entire political structure.

The Electoral Process: How Members Are Chosen

The process by which members of the Assembly of Experts are chosen is a fascinating blend of popular vote and stringent ideological vetting, reflecting the hybrid nature of Iran's political system. While it is indeed an elected body, the path to becoming an "Expert" is far from straightforward, ensuring that only those deemed fully committed to the principles of the Islamic Republic can contend for a seat. This process is crucial for understanding the composition and ideological leanings of the Assembly.

The elections for the Assembly of Experts are typically held every eight years, meaning its members serve long terms, providing a degree of continuity to the body. Voters across Iran cast their ballots for candidates in their respective provinces. The number of seats allocated to each province is generally proportionate to its population, ensuring a broad geographical representation across the country. This electoral aspect grants the Assembly a popular mandate, distinguishing it from purely appointed bodies within the Iranian system.

Who Can Run? The Vetting Process

One of the most critical and often controversial aspects of the Assembly of Experts elections is the rigorous vetting process that candidates must undergo. Prospective candidates are not simply required to be clerics; they must also demonstrate a profound understanding of Islamic jurisprudence, possess a strong record of adherence to the principles of the Islamic Revolution, and exhibit the moral integrity deemed necessary for such a sensitive role. This evaluation is not self-assessed; it is conducted by the Guardian Council, another powerful unelected body in Iran.

The Guardian Council, composed of six jurists appointed by the Supreme Leader and six clerics nominated by the judiciary and approved by the Parliament, holds the ultimate authority to approve or disqualify candidates for both the Assembly of Experts and parliamentary elections. This vetting process often leads to the disqualification of numerous hopefuls, particularly those perceived as too reformist or not sufficiently aligned with the hardline establishment. This mechanism effectively filters the pool of candidates, ensuring that the Assembly remains ideologically consistent with the foundational principles of the Islamic Republic and loyal to the Supreme Leader.

Geographical Representation: Seats by Province

The Assembly of Experts is designed to represent the diverse provinces of Iran, with its 88 members distributed based on population. This ensures that the body reflects the clerical and demographic landscape across the nation. While the exact number of seats can fluctuate slightly with population shifts, the general principle of proportional representation remains consistent.

For instance, larger and more populous provinces naturally hold a greater number of seats. Tehran Province, as the capital and most populous region, typically holds the largest number of seats in the Assembly of Experts, reflecting its significant population. Following Tehran, provinces like Razavi Khorasan and Khuzestan are notable for their substantial representation, each typically holding six seats. This geographical distribution means that the Assembly's composition is not solely concentrated in one region but draws its members from across the country, theoretically bringing a broader perspective to its deliberations, even if the ideological spectrum of candidates is narrowed by the vetting process. Data on Assembly of Expert elections can be reached through official Iranian election bodies, providing transparency on voter turnout and candidate information.

The Assembly's Power and Limitations: Beyond Succession

While the primary and most significant role of the Assembly of Experts is undoubtedly the selection and oversight of the Supreme Leader, its power and limitations extend beyond this singular, albeit monumental, task. It's crucial to understand that despite its immense theoretical authority, the Assembly's day-to-day influence on Iranian politics is often less visible than that of other bodies like the Parliament or the Presidency. This is largely due to the overwhelming authority of the incumbent Supreme Leader, who is the ultimate arbiter of state affairs.

Beyond succession, the Assembly holds periodic meetings, typically once or twice a year, to discuss various issues concerning the state of the country and the performance of the Supreme Leader. These sessions are generally held behind closed doors, and while resolutions or statements may be issued, they rarely challenge the Supreme Leader directly. Instead, they often serve to reinforce his authority and the principles of the Islamic Republic. The Assembly can also issue declarations or fatwas on religious matters, but these are typically in line with the Supreme Leader's views or are on issues that do not directly conflict with his authority.

The practical limitation of the Assembly's power lies in the fact that its most significant function—the removal of a Supreme Leader—is an extraordinary measure, almost unthinkable in the current political climate. The Supreme Leader wields immense power, including control over the military, intelligence services, and key media outlets, making any direct challenge from within the Assembly incredibly difficult and potentially destabilizing. Thus, while the Assembly of Experts holds the constitutional power to oversee and even dismiss the Supreme Leader, its actual exercise of this power is largely constrained by the realities of Iranian political power dynamics. Its influence is more subtle, operating as a legitimizing force and a potential, albeit distant, check on ultimate authority, rather than an active legislative or executive body.

The 2024 Elections: A Crucial Juncture

On March 1, 2024, the Islamic Republic of Iran held elections for the sixth term of the Assembly of Experts. This electoral event was not merely a routine exercise in democratic process; it represented a crucial juncture for the future of Iranian leadership and the stability of its unique political system. These elections gained particular significance due to the advanced age of the current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, making the composition of the next Assembly potentially vital for the upcoming succession process.

The lead-up to the 2024 elections was characterized by intense political maneuvering and public scrutiny, albeit largely behind the scenes. The Guardian Council's vetting process, as always, played a decisive role, disqualifying a significant number of candidates and shaping the ideological landscape of those permitted to run. This often led to criticism from reformist factions who argued that the process stifled genuine political competition and limited voter choice. Nevertheless, the elections proceeded, with millions of Iranians casting their votes for the clerical representatives they believed best suited to fulfill the Assembly's weighty responsibilities.

The outcome of the 2024 elections was closely watched by both domestic and international observers. While the immediate impact of the new Assembly's composition might not be apparent, its long-term implications are profound. The elected members will serve for an eight-year term, meaning they will almost certainly be the ones tasked with selecting the next Supreme Leader, a decision that will define Iran's political and social trajectory for decades to come. Thus, the 2024 elections were not just about choosing new members for the Assembly of Experts; they were about laying the groundwork for Iran's future leadership.

The Succession Question: The Assembly's Pivotal Role

The question of succession is perhaps the single most critical aspect of the Assembly of Experts' existence, and it is here that its pivotal role truly comes into sharpest focus. With the current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, now in his mid-80s, the issue of who will succeed him has become a central, albeit often unspoken, concern within Iranian political circles. What role might the Assembly play in a future succession process? The answer is: the decisive one.

When the position of Supreme Leader becomes vacant, whether due to death, incapacitation, or, theoretically, removal, the Assembly of Experts is constitutionally mandated to convene and select a new leader. This is not a simple election; it is a profound deliberation among the most senior and respected clerics in the country. The process involves identifying candidates who meet stringent qualifications: they must be a prominent religious scholar (marja' taqlid), possess political and social acumen, and demonstrate a deep understanding of the needs of the Islamic Republic. The Assembly's members will engage in intense discussions, evaluate potential candidates based on these criteria, and ultimately vote to choose the next Supreme Leader.

The significance of this process cannot be overstated. The choice of the next Supreme Leader will not only determine the religious and political direction of Iran but also potentially reshape its foreign policy, economic trajectory, and social freedoms. The Assembly's decision will have profound implications for the balance of power among various factions within the Iranian establishment, including the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the traditional clerical establishment. While public discourse on succession is largely muted due to the sensitivity of the topic, the Assembly of Experts stands ready as the constitutional body responsible for navigating this critical transition, ensuring the continuity of the Islamic Republic's unique system of governance. Its role in this moment of transition will be the ultimate test of its authority and influence.

Challenges and Criticisms Facing the Assembly

Despite its foundational role in Iran's political system, the Assembly of Experts is not immune to challenges and criticisms, both from within Iran and from international observers. These criticisms often center on issues of transparency, democratic legitimacy, and the practical exercise of its oversight functions.

One of the most frequent criticisms pertains to the vetting process conducted by the Guardian Council. The rigorous disqualification of candidates, particularly those with reformist or moderate leanings, significantly narrows the field, leading to a perception that the elections for the Assembly of Experts are not truly competitive. Critics argue that this process effectively pre-selects the members, ensuring that the body remains largely conservative and aligned with the establishment, thereby undermining its democratic credentials and limiting the diversity of views within its ranks.

Another area of concern is the lack of transparency surrounding the Assembly's deliberations and its oversight of the Supreme Leader. Its meetings are largely closed to the public, and details of its discussions are rarely disclosed. This opacity fuels speculation and raises questions about the extent to which the Assembly genuinely scrutinizes the Supreme Leader's performance or acts merely as a rubber stamp. While the theoretical power to dismiss the Supreme Leader exists, the practical exercise of this power is seen as highly improbable, leading some to view the oversight function as largely symbolic.

Furthermore, the Assembly's composition, exclusively of Islamic clerics, is a point of contention for those who advocate for a more inclusive political system. While this aligns with the theocratic nature of the Islamic Republic, it means that a significant segment of Iranian society is not directly represented within this powerful body. These challenges and criticisms highlight the ongoing tension between the democratic aspirations of some segments of Iranian society and the enduring theocratic foundations of the state, with the Assembly of Experts standing at the very intersection of these forces.

The Future of the Assembly of Experts in Iran

The future of the Assembly of Experts is inextricably linked to the future of the Islamic Republic itself. As Iran continues to navigate complex domestic and international challenges, the role and influence of this deliberative body will remain a critical factor, particularly concerning the pivotal issue of succession. While its immediate functions might appear subtle, its long-term significance cannot be overstated.

In the short term, the newly elected Assembly of Experts will be tasked with observing the current political landscape and, most importantly, preparing for the eventual transition of leadership. The internal dynamics of this new Assembly, the ideological leanings of its members, and their collective stance on potential successors will quietly shape the contours of Iran's next era. Any shifts in the balance of power within the Assembly, even minor ones, could have profound implications when the time comes to select the next Supreme Leader. The Assembly of Experts' composition will therefore be a key indicator of the direction Iran might take, whether towards continuity, moderate reform, or a more hardline stance.

Looking further ahead, the Assembly's role might evolve in response to societal pressures and political developments. While its core mandate of selecting and overseeing the Supreme Leader is unlikely to change, the nature of its oversight or the transparency of its operations could become subjects of future debate. As Iran's political system grapples with generational shifts and the aspirations of its diverse population, the Assembly of Experts will remain a central, albeit often enigmatic, player. Its ability to manage the succession process smoothly and legitimately will be paramount for the stability and continuity of the Islamic Republic, making it a body whose every move, however quiet, resonates deeply within the nation's political soul.

Conclusion

The Assembly of Experts, an elected body of Islamic clerics, stands as a unique and profoundly powerful institution at the very heart of Iran's complex political system. From its origins in the aftermath of the 1979 revolution, tasked with drafting a new constitution, to its reestablishment in 1983 with the sole purpose of selecting and overseeing the Supreme Leader, the Assembly of Experts holds a constitutional mandate that is unparalleled globally. It is the ultimate arbiter of leadership continuity in the Islamic Republic, a role underscored by the recent March 1, 2024, elections for its sixth term.

Despite its immense, albeit often discreet, power, the Assembly operates within a famously intricate political tapestry, balancing its elected legitimacy with the rigorous vetting process of the Guardian Council. Its members, drawn from provinces like Razavi Khorasan and Khuzestan, embody the clerical representation across the nation. While its day-to-day influence may seem limited compared to its monumental succession role, the Assembly remains a critical component in Iran's delicate balance of power, constantly facing challenges and criticisms regarding its transparency and the competitive nature of its elections. As Iran looks to its future, particularly concerning the inevitable question of succession, the Assembly of Experts will undeniably play the most pivotal role, shaping the nation's destiny for generations to come.

Understanding the Assembly of Experts is crucial for anyone seeking to comprehend the dynamics of modern Iran. We encourage you to delve deeper into the nuances of this powerful body and its implications for the region. What are your thoughts on the Assembly's role in Iran's future? Share your insights in the comments below, or explore our other articles on Iranian politics to broaden your understanding.

Arduino assembly language - werybu

Assembly Function Example at Harry Guevara blog

Symbols In Assembly Language

Celebrity Homes & Lifestyles